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enPochettino laments key Soldado opportunityMauricio Pochettino conceded that Roberto Soldados confidence-bereft miss was key to Tottenhams UEFA Europa League defeat to Fiorentina.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pochettino-laments-key-soldado-miss
After a 1-1 draw at White Hart Lane, Spurs were downed 2-0 in Florence through Mario Gomez and Mohamed Salah strikes.
However, Soldado - Spurs' first-leg goalscorer - should have put the Premier League side ahead in Florence before the interval when he raced clear one-on-one with Nacer Chadli alongside him.
Possibly caught in two minds, the Spaniard's weak attempt to find his team-mate was easily gathered by Fiorentina goalkeeper Neto.
"We are all disappointed, the player, too," Pochettino said. "It is normal.
"This one was the first final for us and all players are disappointed, but now we need to look forwards, to recover quickly, because on Sunday we have another game [against Chelsea in the League Cup final]. It is impossible to change the game now.
"It is true that it was key, this action. You need some luck to score sometimes if you are to win the games.
"It is true that in the second half we made some mistakes and we take a risk and Fiorentina scored.
"We did not score and, if we want to analyse the game, it is easy: Fiorentina scored, we didn't score and in football when you don't score it is difficult to win games.
"I think they scored more than us and we didn't score. If we analyse the performance, we played very well again but didn't score in the first half.
"You only deserve to go through to the next round if you score and they scored more goals than us."
news_articleThu, 26 Feb 2015 22:05:54 +0000351483 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPochettino plays down chances of Spurs exodusMauricio Pochettino wants to keep his Tottenham squad together in January, but acknowledged all his players are potentially up for grabs.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pochettino-plays-down-chances-spurs-exodus
Tottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino has claimed all his players are for sale during the January transfer window, but insistshe does not want anyone to leave.
Misfiring forwardRoberto Soldado is among those linked with a move away from White Hart Lane,while the club are also thought to be open to selling the likes of Kyle Naughton, Emmanuel Adebayor and Aaron Lennon.
With Spurs likely to be among the more active clubs in the remainder of the month, Pochettino hopes to retain a strong squad to compete in the Premier League, League Cup, FA Cup and UEFA Europa League.
"Any player is for sale [but]we want to keep them all," he said.
"We need a strong squad, but there is nothing else to say. I am happy with the squad.
"I am happy with Soldado. I expect him to be here, we have four competitions to play in and we need a strong squad."
Spaniard Soldado is a reported target for German side Bayer Leverkusen - who seemingly look set to lose Josip Drmic to Bundesliga rivals Hamburg.
Spurs, in turn, have been linked with an approach for Everton's Kevin Mirallas, but Pochettino reiterated his desire to see the former Valencia man stay.
"I'm happy with him,"Pochettinosaid ofSoldado."All players are in my plans.
"I expect all players to be here. We have a lot of games. We are still in four competitions.
"I think we need a strong squad to take all the games we have in the future."
news_articleTue, 20 Jan 2015 15:03:53 +0000327726 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPochettino backs misfiring SoldadoTottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino backs misfiring striker Roberto Soldado after his latest blank in front of goal in the FA Cup.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pochettino-backs-misfiring-soldado
Mauricio Pochettino refused to criticise Tottenham striker Roberto Soldado despite another frustrating night in front of goal for the strikeron Wednesday.
The Spaniard has struggled to find any form for the White Hart Lane outfit this season, musteringjust four goals in 24 appearances in all competitions.
His latest blank came in Tottenham's FA Cup third-round replay against Burnley on Wednesday – which they won 4-2, with the 29-year-old producing one of the misses of the season.
With his side trailing 2-1, Soldadolaunched a swift breakaway with Andros Townsend.The latter played a low cross to the back post, only for Soldado to hit the crossbar from close range.
However, Pochettino refused to criticise his striker, and hasbacked him to get among thegoals.
"In football you don't need to apologise, because we are sorry for him because I think he deserved a goal," said Pochettino.
"But in football the actions, maybe it's difficult to explain, but I am happy with his performance and his attitude on the pitch.
"All he needs to do is to try to be the best he can in every training session, and the goals will arrive.
"Always it's a tough period for a striker when he doesn't score, but I am very happy with his performance, and he knows that we support him.
"We can talk about different things but for me the most important thing is that he always fights and tries to do his best.
"His attitude was perfect; he was only missing a goal.
"But in football when you work hard, when you try every day and try to give your best, always rewards arrive."
The cup tie with Burnley allowedSoldado to make a rare start, with Harry Kane currently established as Pochettino's first choice in the Premier League.
news_articleThu, 15 Jan 2015 09:14:37 +0000324402 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSoldado ashamed at not performing for SpursRoberto Soldado says he is ashamed at being unable to repay the faith put in him by Tottenham supporters.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/soldado-ashamed-not-performing-spurs
The Spaniard moved to White Hart Lane from Valencia ahead of the 2013-14 campaign, but has failed to recapture his prolific form heshowed in his timeat the Mestalla Stadium.
In 38 Premier League appearances for Spurs, Soldado has netted seven goals, four of which have come from the penalty spot.
Despite his lack of goals, Soldado continues to receive the unwavering support of the Tottenham faithful, which the 29-year-old admits embarrasses him.
"From the first minute I'm involved, even before I've done anything, the fans show they believe in me, and I feel ashamed at not being able to satisfy them,"he said.
"It's hard when they sing.I hear them chanting my name and if I miss a chance, I feel bad.
"I can't thank them enough. I just hope I can reach the level they expect and take advantage of the great players around me.
"If only I knew that little something that's missing for me to find my form, really show my game and for the goals to start flowing.
"I am reassured, though, because the manager [Mauricio Pochettino]is giving me more minutes on the pitch.
"With that, my time will come, because in the games I'm feeling good. The critical thing is that the goals aren't coming but I know they will."
news_articleFri, 19 Dec 2014 19:51:10 +0000308130 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPoch hopes Soldado goal will restore confidenceTottenham head coach Mauricio Pochettino hopes to see Roberto Soldados confidence return following the 2-1 win over Everton.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pochettino-hopes-soldado-goal-will-restore-confidence
Former Valencia striker Soldado was without a Premier League goal since March,but fired what proved to be the winner on Sunday at the end of a pulsating first half at White Hart Lane.
Tottenham were facing the prospect of a third consecutive league loss at home after Kevin Mirallas fired a spectacular 15th-minute opener beforeChristian Eriksen restored parity sixminutes later.
"You need to give confidence to the player to keep working hard," Pochettino said when discussing Soldado's display at his post-match press conference.
"It has not been easy for him but you need to motivate the player - it is always frustrating for a striker who does not score.
"He scored and he is happy, he is more free because he feels the pressure.
"It is important for the team that the striker scores goals."
Pochettino's team offered the clearest demonstration so far this season that they are adapting to his methods against Everton, with much of their high-tempo, high-pressing performance during the first hour of the match recalling Southampton's fine displays under the Argentinian.
"Our mentality and our spiritwere fantastic," he said.
"This is what we want. We need to keep this feeling. It is impossible always to win but with the spirit and mentality we showed, it will be easier to win games.
"Everton have a very good squad and for us it is not only three points, it is a little bit more than three points.
"It is important to grow and build on the victory."
news_articleSun, 30 Nov 2014 20:37:58 +0000296829 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comTottenham 2-1 Everton: Spurs won with a record home low of how much possession?The best well-I-nevers from White Hart Lane using Stats Zone, following Tottenhams spirited victory over Everton...http://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/tottenham-2-1-everton-spurs-won-record-home-low-how-much-possession
Tottenham stay within two points of fourth-placed Manchester United after coming from behind to beat Everton at White Hart Lane.
Mauricio Pochettino's men had threatened to continue their awful run of form on home soil when Kevin Mirallas fired home an early beauty– the sixth goal Spurs have conceded in the first 15 minutes of games this season– but turned it around before half-time via goals from Christian Eriksen and Roberto Soldado.
The north Londoners are now unbeaten in their last 6 Premier League games against Everton at White Hart Lane (W4 D2), and leapfrog the Merseysiders to rejoin Arsenal on level points in seventh place.
Christian Eriksen has scored 11 Premier League goals in 2014; Yaya Toure (14) and Steven Gerrard (12) are the only midfielders with more.
Everton have kept just 2 clean sheets in their last 22 Premier League visits to London.
Roberto Soldado ended a run of 627 minutes without a league goal.
Spurs have gained 9 points from losing positions this season, the joint-most with Chelsea.
Tottenham’s last 5 Premier League games have ended in a 2-1 scoreline (won 3, lost 2).
Spurs’ 38.6% share of possession was their lowest in a Premier League home game they won since November 2012 (34.8% in a 2-1 win against Liverpool).
Everton have scored in their last 8 Premier League away games, but have won only 3 of these matches.
Analyse Tottenham 2-1 Everton yourself using Stats Zone
featureSun, 30 Nov 2014 18:15:31 +0000Joe Brewin296560 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSoldado wants to continue feel-good factorTottenham striker Roberto Soldado has called on his side to keep the feel-good factor flowing when they host Stoke City on Sunday.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/soldado-wants-continue-feel-good-factor
Victory over Stoke at White Hart Lanewould represent a third success in seven days for Mauricio Pochettino's men.
Thursday's UEFA Europa League winover Asteras Tripolis followed up a come-from-behind Premier League triumph at Aston Villa last weekend.
And Soldado is eager for Tottenham, who have lost three of their five home league games this term,to build additional momentumas they aim to make up ground on the top four.
"We feel good away from home after the Villa game and now we need to follow that up at home in the league in front of our own fans," Soldado told the club's official website.
"Our next Premier League match is at home against Stoke, which will be a difficult game, but we need to get another three points.
"With our supporters behind us it makes things easier for us but it's down to us as players to do our bit, because then it can push the team on further."
news_articleSat, 08 Nov 2014 13:11:27 +0000283345 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comPochettino keen to keep Soldado and TownsendTottenham coach Mauricio Pochettino is determined to keep hold of reportedly in-demand pair Roberto Soldado and Andros Townsend.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/pochettino-wants-soldado-and-townsend-stay-spurs
Soldado has been linked withMilan as they look to replace Mario Balotelli, while England winger Townsend is believed to be atarget for Pochettino's former club Southampton.
The Argentinian has led Spurs to three wins from three competitive games so far this season, and will hope for a fourth when they host AEL in the UEFA Europa League play-offs on Thursday, holding a 2-1 lead from the first leg in Cyprus.
And with up to four competitions to concern himself with this term, Pochettino is keen to keep hold to as many players as possible.
This includes Soldado, who only managed six Premier League goals after a £28 million move from Valencia last August.
Pochettino said: "Soldado is here, I never talk about any player rumours.
"He is in my plans. For the future? Yes. Yes. We've only had two games in the Premier League and one in the Europa League.
"I believe in all the squad. It is important you know I can only pick 11."
A neck injury will keep Soldado out of Thursday's White Hart Lane clash, but Townsend could be given the chance to impress.
"He is in my plans," Pochettino said of the 23-year-old.
"It is impossible you play or have in the squad only 11 players - you need 24 or 25 players.
"I think we have to play a lot of games and it is possible you play tomorrow, then don't play in the next Premier League game, but the most important thing is understanding that we need to choose for the games.
"It is only 11 in each game after that another three impact players come in.
"We have an unbelievable squad and my job is not only to put my philosophy in the club or on the pitch on how we need to play, but I need choice and that is my job."
news_articleWed, 27 Aug 2014 15:57:06 +0000240015 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comArdiles: Spurs signings a serious problemFormer Tottenham midfielder Ossie Ardiles believes his former teams signings, not their managers, are the problem at the club.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/ardiles-tottenham-signings-serious-serious-problem
Andre Villas-Boas was sacked in December last year and Tim Sherwood is under pressure with Tottenham likely to finish sixth in the Premier League.
But Ardiles, who made 221 league appearances for the club between 1978 and 1988, said the pre-season inclusions were to blame.
After losing Gareth Bale to Real Madrid, Tottenham spent £107 million on Roberto Soldado, Erik Lamela, Paulinho, Christian Eriksen, Etienne Capoue, Vlad Chiriches and Nacer Chadli.
"When we started this season we were full of optimism, but somehow it has been a very disappointing season," Ardiles told talkSPORT.
"I believe that the players we have bought in this season have been the problem. They are not performing the way we expected. I don't want to name names, but basically all the people we have bought.
"This is a serious, serious problem.
"At the end of the day, whoever the manager is, AVB (Villas-Boas) earlier in the season and later on Tim, there is not a lot you can do with the kind of players we have right now.
"Whoever comes in, or if Tim stays, he has to make a big rebuilding of the team."
news_articleThu, 08 May 2014 05:22:05 +0000168299 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comDebrief: Arsenal keep crumbling when it matters, Spurs learn value of patienceFourFourTwos Jonathan Fadugba looks back at an exciting weekend of Premier League action...Jonathan Fadugbahttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/debrief-arsenal-keep-crumbling-when-it-matters-spurs-learn-value-patience
Arsenal fail in the big games - and are getting worse
If Arsenal's 6-0 battering at the hands of Chelsea at Stamford Bridge taught us anything, it was that Arsenal consistently and categorically fail when it comes to the big games. 2-0 down inside 10 minutes, it was the manner of the defeat that proved so shocking.
This was supposed to be a celebration of Arsene Wenger's greatness, a match to crown his 1,000th game in charge in the same style and with the same philosophy he's carried as a raison d'être for the 999 games prior. Instead, the party hats only served to give his team the look of clowns, as Jose Mourinho's side ripped into them like a lion rips into its prey. Indeed it was interesting to note that, even at 4-0 up with an extra man, the game all but won, Mourinho continued to implore his side to press and chase, as if desperate to give his managerial rival a roasting to remember. A special beating from the Special One, to the sound of 'specialists of failure' chants from the Stamford Bridge crowd. Schadenfreude in its purest form.
Arsenal have struggled for success over the last nine years, and in that time a perception has grown that Arsenal flop when it's time for action - that when it really matters most, they flounder. Wenger has still never beaten Mourinho in all their numerous meetings, after all, and when the pressure cranks up Arsenal teams have been found wanting, from William Gallas' sulk away to Birmingham, to their League Cup final collapse against the same opposition. Saturday's defeat did nothing to disprove this theory. If anything, Arsenal are getting worse as the years go by.
In the last four seasons, Arsenal's record against the big boys Manchester United, Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool leaves much to be desired, and continues to get worse and worse. In 2010/11 they picked up 12 points from their eight games against these teams, with 3 wins, 3 draws and 2 defeats. Since then, their points total has dropped to 10 points in 2011/12, six points in 2012/13 (with only one win in 8), and now five points in 2013/14, though they still have Manchester City to play at home.
To keep their fading title hopes alive Arsenal must now beat Manuel Pellegrini's side at the Emirates. Defeat, on the other hand, would show an indisputable year-on-year decline in Wenger's ability to inspire his team against the best.
Soldado and Sherwood show Spurs the virtue of patience
Roberto Soldado and Tim Sherwood have been the butt of many a joke over the past few weeks and months. "Soldado makes me realise I wasn't that sh*t" tweeted Gary Lineker to his two million followers, and Spurs' own variation of the SAS have both suffered in what's been a fairly enigmatic campaign - fifth in the league but with a variety of meltdowns and a managerial sacking to boot.
However, the late, late 3-2 win over Southampton can perhaps show Spurs - and even the wider football world - the virtue of patience. That Spurs forked out £26 million on the Spanish international perfectly entitles them to expect more than a return of six goals in 25 league games. It would be a fallacy to suggest that Soldado's maiden Premier League season has been anything other than a disappointment. That said, it would be equally wrong to suggest that the Spaniard can't cut it or is scrapheap material already.
In the absence of injury-stricken Emmanuel Adebayor, some of Soldado's play in the win over the Saints was a joy to behold. Soldado is not a natural target man, but an array of sumptuous flicks and clever interchanges helped forge a number of opportunities for his team-mates, and he showed impressive strength and, vitally, the requisite hard-running to rob Dejan Lovren and set up Spurs' equaliser.
Soldado's hold-up play, runs into channels, work-rate and the manner in which he brought his colleagues into play was excellent at times, although he was unlucky not to cap a pleasing performance with a goal, Nacer Chadli's late cross not good enough to offer Spurs a fourth and Soldado a tap-in.
Sherwood meanwhile was directly responsible for the game's turnaround, the introduction of Gylfi Sigurdsson for the hapless Mousa Dembele altering the game's shape and rebalancing the match in Spurs' favour. Sherwood chose to watch from the stands - a self-imposed touchline exile to prevent further angry outbursts of finger-jabbing and wailing. This shows a certain maturity that should not go unnoticed.
Both tactically and in terms of how he carries himself as a manager, Sherwood is learning - and he is having to do so at the sharp end of the game, where pressure and scrutiny are at their highest. Time may well end up revealing that Sherwood isn't quite ready for this level, but the club's decision to give him that responsibility should also come with an acceptance that a certain amount of breathing space is needed adapt to the rigours of life as a Premier League manager.
Everton keep up the chase for top four place
Can Everton catch Arsenal and pip them to a fourth place finish before the end of the season? Given the strong manner in which Arsenal traditionally finish the season and their respective run-ins, perhaps not. But that doesn't mean the Gunners should breathe easy. Should Roberto Martinez's men win their game in hand against Crystal Palace the Toffees would sit just five points behind Arsenal, with the Champions League-chasing duo still to meet at Goodison Park in April. Win both and it could be a very nervy end to the season for Gunners fans.
Arsene Wenger's near unparalleled record of Champions League qualification probably makes this unlikely, but that this scenario is even being considered at the moment says much not only about how badly Arsenal have slumped in recent weeks but also about the fine job Everton are doing under Martinez this season.
With a significantly smaller budget to the Gunners, who splurged £40 million on one player in the summer, lest we forget, Martinez's side have embraced the early season plaudits and continued to plug away, picking up points and losing only five games - four fewer than Spurs and Manchester United and one fewer than Arsenal. Swansea may have created far more shooting opportunities during their 3-2 defeat at Goodison, mustering 59% possession in the process, but the Toffees made it three straight wins to keep their Champions League dream alive.
Moyes needs marquee result against Man City
Darren Fletcher, Shinji Kagawa, Alex Buttner and Juan Mata came into a much-changed lineup for Manchester United at West Ham, but there were no signs of unfamiliarity about the team as David Moyes' side secured a 2-0 win that was comfortable in the end.
In the absence of Robin van Persie, who depending on the extent of the injury may even have played his last game for United, Moyes' decision to leave out Danny Welbeck raised eyebrows, while injuries in defence left Michael Carrick on stop-the-battering-ram duty against Andy Carroll.
United performed as expected but the challenge now comes on Tuesday, in the Manchester derby against title challengers City. The game represents Moyes' last chance this season to pull off a marquee league win to show supporters that he can hold his own against the big teams and the best tactical minds.
The Red Devils have only won once against this season's top four in seven games, a paltry return - last season they won five and drew one of eight. Moyes' team has also only won three or more games in a row twice this season - a stat that shows the inconsistency which has plagued their 2013/14 campaign. Olympiakos and West Ham were as much about saving face as anything else. A win against City would bear far greater significance.
Suarez leads Player of the Year chase but Aguero absence a shame for Prem
When the end-of-season awards are dished out in a month or two's time it is almost unthinkable that anyone other than Luis Suarez will be awarded the Player of the Year award. Suarez has been a revelation, and his 28 goals in 25 league games is an unbelievable total unmatched in recent times. That said, if anyone was going to challenge him this season, Sergio Aguero was that guy. Or, at least, he would have been, had injuries not so badly hindered his season.
Cast your mind back to the start of the season. It was the Argentine's name on everyone's lips. We all raved about 'El Kun' while Suarez sat on the sidelines completing his biting ban. Aguero had surpassed Thierry Henry's minutes-per-goal record to become the most effective striker in Premier League history (counting only players with 40+ Prem strikes) and 10 goals in 10 starts made him the man of the moment.
Hamstring, knee and calf injuries however have halted his progress. Aguero has scored 20% of Manchester City's league goals this season, but has missed 11 games through injury. When he's played he's been electric, with 15 goals in 15 starts - still the league's fourth top scorer. Luis Suarez leads the way, but it's a shame Aguero's injury problems have deprived us a full season of the tremendously talented 25-year-old. It would have made for a fascinating Golden Boot race.
Stuttering Swansea sliding aimlessly towards relegation zone
Swansea may well be able to boast the Premier League's best possession statistics - a 60% average unmatched by any of the big boys - but if anything their season is proving the fallacy of the idea that possession is nine-tenths of the law. Barcelona's tiki-taka-inspired era of world football dominance taught a generation of supporters that if you keep the ball, you'll probably win - and look great doing so. But the Swans are becoming the latest team to prove that it's a little bit less straightforward than that.
Garry Monk's side continue to drift aimlessly towards the relegation zone and another defeat at Everton - albeit perhaps an unlucky one - condemned Monk to his third defeat in four games.
Swansea have now picked up just two points from an available 15 since Monk's joyous opening win over Cardiff. The sacking of Michael Laudrup and its intended jolt on a club that has been drifting arguably ever since their League Cup trophy win last season has largely failed to materialise. Instead the malaise continues.
There are worse teams in the Premier League, and their run-in isn't the least kind, but Swansea need points on the board. A midweek trip to the Emirates is another chance to turn possession into points.
SEE ALSO Gary Parkinson's Saturday analysis
featureSun, 23 Mar 2014 13:05:18 +0000Jonathan Fadugba142354 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSoldado determined to stick it out at SpursTottenhams Roberto Soldado says he would have returned to Spain by now if he was younger due to his difficult start to life in London.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/soldado-determined-stick-it-out-spurs
The Spain international striker arrived from Valencia with a reputation as a prolific goalscorer, but has struggled to settle at White Hart Lane having scored just six Premier League goals this season - four of which were penalties.
And in an interview withRadio Onda Cero, the 28-year-old Soldado admitted that had he been less experienced, he may have been tempted to quit after such a testing start.
"If all this had happened to me when I was 22, I would have probably returned home after a month," he said.
"But I believe it is a positive experience for me, my family and for the education of my children.
"I am the only one responsible for my poor form, but I will get better.We have a great team and I am convinced we can have a good season."
Soldado's winning goal against Cardiff City on Sunday was his first in the league in 2014, and he went on to say the strike had been a timely boost for both him and the club.
""It was a much-needed goal for me and especially for my team-mates and the fans," he added.
"Despite all the time I have gone without scoring a goal, the support they have given me has been incredible.
"Every time I touch the ball I feel there is great expectation and people are hoping for the best for me - I feel wanted here even though I haven't given them anything at the moment."
news_articleThu, 06 Mar 2014 15:56:03 +0000133478 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSherwood hails Spurs match-winner SoldadoTottenham head coach Tim Sherwood lavished praise on Roberto Soldado after the striker ended his goal drought to down Cardiff City.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/sherwood-hails-soldado
Soldado scored the only goal of the game at White Hart Lane on Sunday, finding the net for the first time this year with an instinctive 28th-minute finish.
The Spanish striker has faced criticism for his performances this season, having scored just five goals - including four penalties - in 22 Premier League outings before this weekend following his big-money move from Valencia.
But Sherwood, who succeeded Andre Villas-Boas as Tottenham boss in December, was keen to laud Soldado for his persistence and hard work.
He said: "I was delighted for Robbie - you saw the way the lads all celebrated with him and how much it means.
"He's a great character around the place. The boys love him and they want him to do very, very well, as I do. If I could have picked anyone to score that winning goal, it would have been him.
"He's never a moment's problem. He's a true professional and he gets on with his training. He wants to improve and he knows he's been in a bit of a sticky spell, but I always looked him in the eye and knew that he had the belief.
"Obviously you look at history with Robbie because he's not done it in the Premier League, but he's scored in a top league in Spain and you know what he's capable of.
"If he wasn't showing any desire in training and any real belief that he could turn it around, then I would have left him out, but he's not given me any reason to leave him out.
"I have stuck by him and I believe that he will come good. I still maintain that."
Sherwood sparked laughter among the assembled journalists when he added with a smile: "We're just hoping this is a platform for him to score 20 goals between now and the end of the season."
Tottenham have often struggled this season when returning to domestic action after UEFA Europa League fixtures, but were able to build on a midweek win over Dnipro on this occasion.
"It wasn't great, but it can't always be great," said Sherwood of his side's performance.
"You don't win leagues or qualify for Europe by playing magnificent, free-flowing football every week. Sometimes you have to dig deep and dig out a result and I thought we did that.
"To get three points and win ugly is very important."
news_articleSun, 02 Mar 2014 20:42:47 +0000131432 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comArsenal and Giroud show Spurs how to make the most of in-form AdebayorThe Togolese hitman is a new player under Tim Sherwood, with 11 goals in 15 appearances this season - but he still needs all the support he can get, writes Michael Cox...Michael Coxhttp://www.fourfourtwo.com/features/arsenal-and-giroud-show-spurs-how-make-most-form-adebayor
Emmanuel Adebayor has been rejuvenated since the appointment of Tim Sherwood as Tottenham manager back in mid-December, but his performance in last week's disappointing 1-0 defeat to Norwich was his poorest of the season.
It was also Tottenham’s worst display under Sherwood - but is this cause or effect? Was Adebayor anonymous simply because Tottenham played badly, or have they become too reliant upon the Togo striker, and unable to function when he’s uninvolved?
It’s important to consider the system Sherwood used at Carrow Road last Sunday. His midfield selections have varied wildly since he took charge – for his first match he used an alarmingly attack-minded quartet of Erik Lamela, Christian Eriksen, Mousa Dembele and Gylfi Sigurdsson, a midfield that contained no obvious defensive player.
In stark contrast, last weekend he started with Etienne Capoue, Nabil Bentaleb and Paulinho, a midfield that contained no obvious attacking player. In fact, it’s arguable that this trio are all more defensive than the quartet Sherwood used for his debut match against Southampton, which suggests he’s struggled to achieve any kind of balance.
His selections out wide at Norwich were also interesting, with Aaron Lennon on the left and Dembele starting on the right. Although they played those roles during the 4-0 win over Newcastle United, it’s a peculiar combination out wide. Both are good players, but they have the same major shortcoming. Neither score enough goals, primarily because they don’t naturally get into the right positions. They run with the ball, often very directly, but their off-the-ball movement is poor, and therefore Adebayor was left isolated.
The enforced early change, which saw Capoue departing through injury, Nacer Chadli introduced on the flank and Dembele brought back into the midfield, should have helped things. Chadli naturally knows how to play wide in a front three, although is clearly suffering from a lack of confidence and doesn’t have a great relationship with anyone else in the side. Things didn’t improve.
Therefore, Adebayor obviously lacked support. In particular, nobody attempted to make runs beyond him in behind the Norwich defence, which might have been difficult because Chris Hughton’s side were playing a deep defensive line. But it’s an extremely important concept when playing a lone striker, especially in Adebayor’s case – while he can be lethal in the penalty box, he likes coming short towards the ball and becoming involved in build-up play. Unless there are runners beyond him, it means he can only contribute to Spurs playing in front of the opposition.
It was interesting to compare Adebayor’s performance to that of Olivier Giroud, who hit two goals the previous day for Arsenal against Sunderland. The major difference wasn’t the goals, however, but the link-up play. The two received the ball a similar number of times, and in reasonably similar positions.
However, Giroud always had a forward runner darting past him when he received possession: Tomas Rosicky, Lukas Podolski or Jack Wilshere. This meant Giroud repeatedly attempted to play one-touch flicks into the path of oncoming runners, and his assist for Rosicky’s goal illustrated this perfectly. It was a similar goal to the one Wilshere scored against Norwich earlier in the season, and underlines the value in playing a centre-forward as the central pivot.
Giroud had options ahead of him, and therefore often played forward passes. Some went astray, as is natural when playing in such tight spaces, but Arsenal were consistently dangerous in this respect.
Adebayor, however, barely had any support – and therefore he almost always played the ball backwards.
This problem was highlighted when Roberto Soldado came off the bench midway through the second half, and was almost immediately presented with a golden chance thanks to Adebayor’s intelligent link-up play, the sole ‘chance created’ shown above. Soldado, clearly struggling for form, blazed his shot high and wide, but it shows that Adebayor appreciated the option, and that Norwich struggled to cope with a runner playing off him.
Sherwood doesn’t have to use Soldado to support Adebayor, but he must ensure his main striker is supported with forward runners. If not, Adebayor can hardly be blamed for failing to rescue Tottenham yet again.
SEE ALSOSoldado ‘has this fantastic slogan written on his vest’
featureFri, 28 Feb 2014 10:49:33 +0000Joe Brewin130162 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSoldado: Spurs have to put Dnipro to the swordRoberto Soldado has likened the second leg of Tottenhams UEFA Europa League clash with Dnipro to a cup final.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/soldado-we-have-put-dnipro-sword
Tottenham fell to a 1-0 defeat against the Ukrainian side in last week's first leg, with Soldado guilty of missing a golden chance to give his side an away goal and the advantage in the tie.
Soldado has not found the back of the net since December, but is nevertheless confident ahead of Thursday's return meeting at White Hart Lane.
"They (Dnipro) were definitely the better team when we played them last week, but it’s a final for us now," the Spaniard told Tottenham's official website.
"We have to win, and I think at White Hart Lane we can definitely put them to the sword.
"We're an attacking side but we're not going to go out there from the first minute and score freely.
"We've got to wait, get the first goal and then build on that. But we'll definitely get at them."
Tottenham can take heart from the fact they have not lost a home European match since November 2011, winning eight out of 10 since then.
news_articleThu, 27 Feb 2014 13:18:52 +0000129685 at http://www.fourfourtwo.comSherwood backs Soldado to end goal droughtTottenham manager Tim Sherwood has backed striker Roberto Soldado to recapture his goalscoring form.http://www.fourfourtwo.com/news/sherwood-backs-soldado-break-drought
The Spaniard has scored just five times since his £26 million move from Valencia in August last year, failing to do so in 2014.
Soldado, 28, missed an open goal during Tottenham's 1-0 loss to Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk in the UEFA Europa League last week.
Sherwood believes the goals will come for Soldado, who will lead the line in the second leg against the Ukrainians on Thursday.
"I sat down with him this week, had a chat with him and said, 'It will happen, it's a matter of time'," Sherwood said.
"We know he's a top player. Now's the time for one to ricochet off his backside and go in the back of the net and he'll be off on a run like Emmanuel Adebayor (who has scored nine times in 13 matches).
"All of a sudden the confidence floods back. I hope he can walk away with a match ball tomorrow."
Sherwood compared Soldado's struggles to Luis Suarez, with the Liverpool striker having scored just once in his past eight games.
The Uruguayan, however, has scored 23 goals in the Premier League season.
"Suarez is going through one at the moment and no-one is pointing any fingers as they are winning games," Sherwood said.
"Is Roberto practising shooting into an empty net? What about if he misses the goal?! No, he's had no problem. He has to have the character and be big enough to come through that."
news_articleThu, 27 Feb 2014 06:07:55 +0000129512 at http://www.fourfourtwo.com